Last coaches produced more wins with same players.
There are 22 underclassmen on this team. Pretty sure Carbone didn't win with kids that weren't on the team when he was here.
Also, long-time coaches often leave just before things are about to drop off and unfortunately leave that for someone else. It happens in all sports at all levels. If you know the next year's team isn't going to be up to regular standards and you're at the end of your career anyway, it seems like a good time to get out.
Even thoughJoe had a few down years, there is NOTHING to suggest something like this was going to happen. Actually just the opposite appears with facts, Joe wanted to name his own guy (like that guy or not), but he was not draining the system hoping it would fail. A big part of the reason we have so many young kids playing is because Coach Smithran them off, and next year we will be in the same boat.